Senegal hosts a roundtable on the Energy Charter process

2 May 2019
| News
| International Energy Charter

The International Energy Charter proceeded with its mission to West Africa, which commenced in The Gambia last week, and continued to Senegal on Monday, 29 April, where another stakeholder roundtable event took place. The Secretariat’s small team of officials addressed a range of Senegalese stakeholders relevant to the country’s accession to the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in a meeting hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy of Senegal. As is the case in The Gambia, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is the primary interlocutor for the Energy Charter process in Senegal.

Senegal signed the International Energy Charter declaration in September 2016, thus becoming an observer country to the Energy Charter Conference. It has since commenced on an accession track to the ECT, completing one of the three technical reports stipulated for accession. The final two reports are expected to be finalised this year. As is the case with fellow West Africa countries, Nigeria and The Gambia, Senegal is moving steadfastly towards ECT accession. Senegal’s energy challenges are substantial, with the government prioritising key policies such as expanding energy access in rural areas, deepening the rate of electrification, reduction of import dependence on fossil fuels and diversification of the foreign investment portfolio. It is anticipated that ECT accession could assist Senegal with foreign investment and technology transfer in the energy sector.